cherry on top

Meanings

1. 1nounsingularinformalfigurative

   A small extra pleasure or bonus that makes something already good feel even better.

   Grammar: Usually singular with the: the cherry on top.

   Patterns

   • the cherry on top of something
   • be the cherry on top

   Winning the prize was the cherry on top of a great week.

   The sunny weather was the cherry on top of our holiday.

   A free dessert was the cherry on top of the meal.

2. 2nouncountable

   A single cherry placed on top of a dessert such as ice cream or a cake as decoration.

   Grammar: Literal use: put a cherry on top.

   Patterns

   • add a cherry on top

   She finished the sundae with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

   Would you like a cherry on top of your milkshake?

Common combinations

the cherry on top of the cake

His promotion was the cherry on top of the cake.

add a cherry on top

She added a cherry on top of the sundae.

a perfect cherry on top

The standing ovation was a perfect cherry on top.

be the cherry on top

Free parking would be the cherry on top.

with a cherry on top

He served the ice cream with a cherry on top.

Synonyms and how they differ

icing on the cake

This idiom is almost identical in meaning, though it is a more established saying in British English.

bonus

A bonus is any extra benefit, while the cherry on top suggests it crowns something already good.

finishing touch

A finishing touch completes something, but it does not suggest extra luck or delight.

Opposites

Word family

cherry noun

the small round red fruit

cherry-pick verb

to choose only the best items

cherry-red adjective

bright red in color

Commonly confused: cherry on top or the last straw?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “cherry on top”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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